EBOLA: FG, NMA agree on schools’ resumption date

The Federal Government and the Nigerian Medical Association on Monday finally harmonized positions on the September 22 resumption of schools nationwide.

The NMA said the September 22 date earlier announced by the federal government for the resumption of schools was acceptable and that schools should resume “in order not to feed into the fear monster in the country.”

The association while agreeing with the government’s position at a stakeholders’ meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Education however gave six provisions to be followed to keep the country safe.

The President of the NMA, Dr. Kayode Obembe, said the association changed its mind on the condition that the government would, among other conditions, maintain “highest level of vigilance” in the several entry points in the country, resuscitate infectious disease hospital in states and ensure comprehensive screening of travelers.

NMA said the international Port Health Services should be put in the highest level of vigilance and preparedness to screen those coming into the country.

“All recent travelers to all the provinces of the current endemic countries of the Ebola disease – namely Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Sudan and Gabon-must be carefully scrutinized for the presence of the virus and epidemiologically treated accordingly,” NMA added.